Do You Have a Life Verse?

A souvenir. A memento. A keepsake. A remembrance.

I had a box of them growing up. Still have some. I bet you do, too.

Something we keep to remind us of a happy time or place.

Some people – like me – keep “scripture mementos.” A favorite Bible verse that encouraged us at a difficult time. Or maybe it was a promise we were clinging to. Or perhaps it was a verse read at an important life occasion.

Over the years, these “scripture keepsakes” have been labeled “life verses.” It’s hard to walk into a Christian bookstore without seeing some of the most popular verses on pictures, plaques, and paintings.

After my son died, I was given a card with a verse that became my “life verse.” Romans 15:13 is one I clung to and can quote by heart. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have written blogs about how that scripture verse carried me through the dark days of grief. It was my declaration – The God of Hope. Hope became “my word.” And now, the bookstores are full of pictures, plaques, paintings, and clothes with Hope written on them. I’ve adorned myself with t-shirts and bracelets emblazoned with “Hope.” And I even found a plaque with the Romans 15:13 verse on it – which I had to buy and hang in my house.

For over 29 years, I have carried “Hope” as my souvenir. BUT, the other day, I was reminded of another souvenir that has been a constant since I was a young girl. It doesn’t negate the “hope” verse. Really, I think it builds on it. It probably is truly my whole life verse (really, verses). Not just the verse I claimed as my lifeline when I was a thirty-year-old mom grieving a horrible loss.

This is more of a verse mash-up based on a song I played on repeat as an 11 or 12-year-old girl.

The song that inspired me is More Than Conquerors/Count it All Joy by Janny Grein (1978). Janny wrote a song based on these verses: “Nothing shall separate us from Christ’s love, no suffering, affliction, or tribulation, no distress or persecution. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loves us.” Romans 8:35 and 37. “Blessed, happy, and to be envied is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved he will receive the victor’s crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

Look up the song on YouTube. I’d link it but don’t want to get in trouble with the copyright police.  The gist of the song is in the chorus:

We’ve been made more than conquerors

Overcomers in this life

We’ve been made victorious

Through the blood of Jesus Christ

Listening to the song as a young girl who had been moved across the country at a trying age and knowing the verses it is based on ingrained in me the belief I am a victorious conqueror. Even when things didn’t go my way, I held on to that promise.

As a Christ-follower, I knew Jesus was my rock and sure foundation. He would never leave me or forsake me. He cared about the little details of my life, and He loved me.

If trouble comes knockin’ at your door

Don’t be afraid it’s not like before

Don’t you give in

Don’t let it bring you down

You don’t have to worry anymore

 

Hold on, we’re gettin’ stronger everyday

There’s no reason for you to go astray

Don’t be leaning to your understanding

Lean on Him and we’ll all say

 

We’ve been made more than conquerors

Overcomers in this life

We’ve been made victorious

Through the blood of Jesus Christ

 

So when hard things came along in my life, I clung to the truths of the song, and then the reminder that God was my hope fortified my stance that I am an overcoming, victorious conqueror – full of hope. THAT is my true “life verse.” My whole life.

Do you have a life verse or verses that have built your faith, comforted or encouraged you? If so, I’d love for you to share it with me.